Fans who frequent the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y., in the spring months are accustomed to seeing the top-ranked lacrosse team in action. Usually, though, the No. 1 team wears the home jerseys. But Saturday night visiting Notre Dame will be the team that carries the No. 1 mantle into the Dome .

The best part of Rutgers' season is that because of the rule change the Big East instituted before the year, the Scarlet Knights got to spend a few hours at the conference tournament before being sent home by Notre Dame.

The Leopards were the epitome of a one-dimensional team this season. They had the second-most prolific offense in the Patriot League but trudged to an 8-22 overall record and 4-10 conference mark because of miserable defense and a lack of experience.